A fish-out-of-water story about a New York City chef who inherits a ranch, discovers a family he never knew, and finds unexpected love with a fiercely loyal woman. For fans of western romance superstars like Lyla Sage and Elise Silver. New York City chef Jake West had it all, but a few strokes of a pen meant no more marriage. No more restaurant. No more big city lifestyle. Then he receives a call explaining that his long-estranged father, Brett, has died, and he needs to return to the Canadian ranch he left as a child. Jake expects to go, sign more papers, and return to the city and rebuild his future. Instead Jake learns that Brett's left the ranch to him-and only him. Things might have been hot in his restaurant's kitchen, but that's nothing compared to what he faces now: a family he didn't know existed, and a property he doesn't want. Tanner and Brady, his half-brothers, don't want him around. And while his stepmother, Peony, welcomes him, there's Liz, Peony's daughter. She's not a West, but her loyalties lie with the family, not an outsider. However, as Jake settles into the rhythms of the ranch, he wonders if he's finally found something that's been missing in his life-especially as he and Liz grow closer. At first, it's just attraction, but when a sudden kiss ignites a heat in both of them, they can't ignore this raging inferno. Maybe Brett West knew what he was doing when he summoned his eldest son back home-and gave him a chance to change his life forever. This is Book 1 of the West Line Ranch Series. Book 2 - Western Connection and Book 3 - Western Flame, are currently available to read on Wattpad In bookstores January 20th, 2026! Pre-order here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790665/western-heat-by-caroline-richardson/9781998341375/ Watty's Shortlist - 2021 Cover designed by Nora Inla

After a one night stand on New Year's Eve, Lia and Derrick don't expect to see one another again. After all, she's a Harvard PhD student and he's a professional hockey player for the Boston Knights - there's no way their paths should cross again. Except when they do, it's immediately obvious the chemistry between them hasn't dimmed one bit. Too busy for the real thing, neither of them sees the harm in continuing to see each other in a casual sense. Though when Derrick gets traded to a team in California and things begin to go sideways with Lia's research team, the pair can't seem to shake the fact they've grown to rely on one another, even now that they're thousands of miles apart.

Tanner West struggles to protect everything he's ever known when a deadly threat comes for his family, including the love of his life Liana Forbes, who is back in his life after more than a decade apart. ***** Tanner West has dedicated his life to West Line Ranch. He gave up college, his dreams and the woman he loved to take over the ranch when his mother died. When that same woman walks back onto the ranch twelve years after they broke up, will he take the chance he's been given to make it right, or will he keep walking the path he'd chosen that fateful night when he let her go? Liana Forbes doesn't mess around. She's tough, smart, and protects her heart no matter what. But when Tanner West is suddenly back in her life, the big brother to her best friend's fiancee, she has to make a choice. Will she resist the attraction to the only man who has ever broken her heart, or will she let him back in, even if it means he puts the ranch before her and breaks her heart all over again? Tanner and Liana must navigate through the hurt and memory shared between them as they come face to face with their rekindled attraction. As they grow closer, a deadly threat to the ranch could take everything away, including their chance at happiness. This is Book 3 of the West Line Ranch Series. Book 1 - Western Heat will be available everywhere you buy books on January 6th, 2026 (see link in profile for pre-order information), and the Watty-shortlisted version is available now as a Wattpad Original. Book 2 - Western Connection is available to read as a Wattpad Original.

Joelle Morrow has her focus set on the future. As an up-and-coming lingerie designer, she's overcome multiple setbacks on the road to achieving her dream of opening her own boutique but has yet to be knocked down, leaving her no time to think about her lack of a love life. That is, until Sebastian Brookes walks into the pub where she's bartending and immediately catches her eye. As the newest addition to the Boston Knights hockey team, Sebastian is back in his hometown and ready to prove to the world he deserves a spot in the big leagues. Despite fumbling their first few encounters, Joelle and Sebastian are unable to deny their mutual attraction and begin to date, but quickly realize that keeping their eyes on the prize is hard when trying to navigate a new relationship. Not only are they dealing with conflicting priorities and intensifying pressure, but with Joelle on the seam of everything she's ever wanted and Sebastian suddenly sidelined, they're faced with an arduous decision. Do they choose to hit the brakes and concentrate on their own careers or fight for a chance at love?

A collection of prequel short stories, deleted scenes, and maybe a recipe or two, all from the West Line Ranch series! How did Peony first come to the ranch? What was Brett really like? Meet the people and the animals that make West Line Ranch not just a place, and read the stories that are part of the generous, yet complicated West family history. Add the book to your library for updates!

Headstrong and independent, Jess Nichols doesn't need anyone's pity over the murder of her estranged father, least of all from the cop assigned to protect her family. As the investigation goes deeper, she turns to him to help her make sense of the family secrets it reveals. He proves to be exactly what she needs, but can she trust the feelings she has for him aren't fueled by the danger they are facing? 💕 Lieutenant Shaun King was just doing his job, part of the investigation into the mass shooting at the plastics plant. Now he's in deep, trying his best not to let love get in the way of protecting Jess and her family from danger. 💕 Protecting Jess is a completed contemporary romance novel about following your heart, staying true to your roots, and the power love has to heal.